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Chapter 69
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 70
Back in the camp, Carissa managed to compose herself. Despite her promotion to regiment commander, she still had to share a small tent with Cynthia and the others. The only difference was the addition of two new blankets sent from Tower City.Since Bun and Travis were men, a curtain was drawn in the middle of the tent for privacy while they undressed to tend to their wounds.Everyone had suffered minor injuries, though nothing serious. The cold weather made the pain more intense than usual.Carissa handed out medicine for their injuries, but no one needed it. After all, everyone going to battle brought their own supplies, and each guild had its own healing remedies.Carissa took back the medicine. “Never mind.”“Carissa, I heard your ex-husband and his new wife are coming to support us. Won’t that be awkward when you meet them?” Cynthia asked while dressing and cleaning up the powdered medicine on the floor.“Awkward? Not at all,” Violet snorted, her face as cold as frost. “Jus
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 71
A large hand picked up the fallen wine pouch. The man twisted it open and sniffed the contents, and his eyes shone with delight. However, his words were filled with anger. “How dare you hoard fine wine in the military camp? This will be confiscated!”With that, he turned and stormed off.Carissa sat on the ground, rubbing her nose and blinked away tears. She could only vaguely see a tall figure darting back toward the command tent.“The marshal confiscated it,” Bun said, stunned. Then, he sighed deeply. “Even a sip would have been fine. Why make such a fuss? Now it’s gone.”Violet didn’t expect Rafael to come by either, and chuckled. “Do you really think I just had one pouch when my bag is so huge?”Bun and Travis hurried inside, singing Violet's praises. Then, they quickly drank another pouch of wine that Violet had stashed away.It was refreshing!-The call to arms for the second battle sounded, and the ground shook with the pounding of iron hooves, as if the earth itsel
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 72
Carissa's hair was a tangled mess. It was stiff with dried blood from the battle, and there were strands clumped together in all directions. Even a bird's nest looked better.Her wooden armor was torn and stained with blood, and her face was a canvas of grime and mud. She hadn't bathed or washed herself in many days, and even the beggars on the street would appear neater compared to her.“Are you uncomfortable?” Rafael asked, recalling how vibrant and lively she had been each year when visiting the Pathfinders Guild. She seemed like a completely different person now.Carissa’s cracked lips parted to utter a single word. “Hungry!” Rafael snorted. “Yes, we’re all hungry. Just bear with it.”“I’m so exhausted!” Carissa replied weakly, “I’m so tired I can barely stand.”“Carissa!” Rafael said sternly. “Do you realize that no general in Starhaven’s history has defeated so many enemies on their first battlefield? Not even your father! You’ve done something remarkable. So, hold your
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 73
That night, Carissa couldn't sleep.Despite being at the front line for days, she usually slept soundly even when half-starved, except for the first and the current day when she was full. But tonight, even after a satisfying meal, she couldn’t get any rest.The hardships of the front lines were terrible, and she admired her father and brothers for enduring it for so many years. She herself could endure, but she hadn’t explained her situation with Barrett to Rafael and the other generals, and it felt wrong.How could she explain? That her mother had chosen a man who, after gaining some achievements, threw her to the side and wanted to marry a female general like Aurora? People might think she came to the Southern Frontier to prove she was better than Aurora.She didn’t care about the gossip in the capital, but on this battlefield where her father and brothers had sacrificed so much, she didn’t want her loyalty and dedication to her father's legacy to be mistaken for jealousy.
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 74
Tears instantly welled up in Carissa's eyes. “You can’t blame her. Now, I’m the only one left in my family.”That was something she hadn’t shared with her friends. It was her deepest pain, something she couldn’t talk about without trembling with grief.Travis and Bun abruptly threw back the curtain, their faces showing shock and horror in the darkness. They exchanged a stunned glance with Cynthia and Violet, and said in unison, “What?!”Carissa buried her head in her knees, hot tears streaming down her face. “They were killed by Westhaven spies lurking in the capital. All the spies from Westhaven were mobilized, and my entire family was wiped out. At that time, I was still Barrett’s wife and living at the Valor Estate, so I avoided that massacre. But if I hadn’t married, they might still be alive.”Her friends were horrified.The destruction of an entire family was a devastating blow.The four of them moved closer, embracing Carissa and sharing her grief. “Carissa, don’t cr
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 75
In the command tent outside Tower City, Rafael leaned forward over the desk, his tall figure tense with excitement. His eyes shone brightly, like stars in the night sky.“Send the order: we will launch a major attack at dawn. Once we capture Ilyrian, we’ll have plenty of food, meat, warm clothes, blankets, and all the supplies we need. The Westhaven forces are rich, and have brought tons of supplies to the Southern Frontier.”At the mention of meat, everyone’s eyes lit up. Rafael's forces had been enduring hunger for too long; they were eager to devour anything they could get their hands on!Unfurling a map, Rafael pointed to a small circle on Ilyrian, and called Carissa forward. He indicated the circle with a slender, dark finger. “Commander Sinclair. After we breach the city, you will take three thousand troops straight to Serene District. The supplies will be stockpiled there. Sandoria and Westhaven have many wounded, so they will prioritize moving them first once the city fall
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 76
Rafael acted decisively, immediately ordering the troops to prepare. By midnight, the war drums began to beat, and the attack horns sounded.Today was only the first day of the siege, and the Westhaven-Sandoria coalition inside Ilyrian would never expect a second assault in the early morning hours.The crossbow machines were activated, and archers took their positions. Though bonfires lighted the city walls, Starhaven's attacking forces remained hidden.It was like they were out in the open under the light, while the Hell Monarch's army pushed forward from the shadows.Carissa and her team moved swiftly toward the city gate on horseback. As they neared the city, they used their momentum to leap into the air, charging up to the city towers. Carissa’s Rose Spear pierced through the soldiers controlling the crossbow machines, and then she shattered the machines with a single blow.The archers aimed at her, but Rafael quickly soared up, his golden armor gleaming in the firelight. So
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 77
Sweat mixed with blood streamed down from Carissa's face, and in the freezing weather, it quickly turned into ice. The heat hadn't even faded before the cold had seeped into her bones.“Carissa…” Bun panted heavily, frost clinging to his eyelashes. “Shouldn’t we help them? Aren’t we just going to stay here and guard the supply depot?”“Orders are orders. We’ve been told to guard the supply depot, so we guard it,” Carissa replied, leaning against the wall. Though she was wearing golden armor, she had been stabbed in her arm twice. There was no bleeding or pain, but it left her feeling cold and uncomfortable.She glanced at her companions, all of whom were injured and their armor in tatters. It had been a ruthless battle.“Is everyone okay?” she asked, concerned.Violet waved her hand weakly, too exhausted to speak.The sight of the fallen around them—some enemy, some comrades—was deeply distressing.The enemy forces continued their assault. Carissa sprang to her feet, and shout
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1398
At precisely three in the afternoon, the long execution block was brought forward. The block was forged from ironwood, solid and unyielding. It was the only one of its kind in Starhaven, used solely for execution by Torso Cleaving.The block had been kept in storage for years.Augustus had once deemed the act of Torso Cleaving too brutal. Even those who committed the most grievous offenses were spared this form of execution. Yet, the punishment had not been abolished. It remained a tool to strike fear into the hearts of would-be traitors.The cruelty of Torso Cleaving lay in the fact that after a person was cleaved in two, the upper body could still crawl, struggle, and leave behind a bloody trail.Normally, Torso Cleaving wasn't meant to be witnessed by the public. But treason, betraying the kingdom, and plotting to overthrow the throne were considered unforgivable crimes. Salvador didn't know how many people had dealings with the traitors, and some conspirators were too deepl
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1397
The capital guards escorted Evelyn, Zoey, and Viola up to the execution platform. Evelyn's legs trembled, and she couldn't muster any strength. Her tears flowed uncontrollably, blurring her vision to the point that she could no longer see clearly."You foolish boy!" Evelyn let out a mournful cry, raising her hand and slapping Oliver's face. "You've disgraced your grandfather and your father! How can you face them in the afterlife?"Her slap lacked force; even as she exerted every ounce of her strength, Oliver barely felt the sting.Caught in a whirlwind of panic, Oliver's mind raced. Seeing his mom before him, he seemed to have found a lifeline in a stormy sea. He cried desperately, "Mom, save me! Please save me!"Evelyn, near exhaustion from her sorrow, could barely speak. "You've committed an unforgivable crime! How can I save you now? His Majesty once showed favor to you—how could you betray such grace?""Mom, I know I was wrong! I know it now!" Oliver cried, tears streaming do
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1396
After Evelyn finished crying, she didn't say much. However, she stubbornly insisted on going to deliver Oliver his final meal. Her eyes were swollen and her voice was thick with congestion, nearly a rasp. "I know the court allows family to see their loved ones before execution," she said, her tone strained. "I don't want anything else—just this one thing. I need to see him and make sure he's fed. I don't want him to die hungry and become a vengeful spirit."Tears began to fall once more as she cast a tearful glance at Zoey. "You have children, too. You should understand what it means to be a mother. To the world, he may be seen as the greatest of villains. But to me, he will always be that helpless child that hasn't changed."Zoey remained silent for a long moment, then finally said, "Mother, do you know how the final meeting is arranged? It is at the execution ground. Are you sure you want to see him getting decapitated?"Evelyn trembled, her body shaking with emotion. "You must
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1395
When Carissa went to the palace to deliver her report, she also expressed her sympathy for Zoey besides presenting the confession. She didn't hide her admiration for Zoey in her words.Despite her difficult life, Zoey still had a kind heart. She continuously gave out food and medicine. Even though her whole family now lived in Skye Embroidery, she never asked for the money she had given away to be returned.Furthermore, Zoey had shown great courage and moral integrity. She had publicly condemned her kin for the sake of the greater good—a rare quality that many men, even among the nobility, could not aspire to.Recognizing the need for such an example to inspire his people, Salvador immediately issued an edict praising Zoey. He granted her 100 gold coins and a residence.As for the exiled men from the Prince family, they could return to the capital after the Southern Frontier won the battle, along with the Hell Monarch.Zoey had turned an impossible situation around. Now, who would
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1394
Oliver was a notorious criminal, and he should have been sent directly to the Supreme Court. However, Carissa took a different route. She had him detained at the Capital Guard headquarters, where he was to be interrogated first. Afterward, she planned to report the matter to Salvador. She would credit Zoey for her tip, and then plead for Caspian and Cedric to be allowed to return to the capital as soon as possible.Celeste was still detained in the Capital Guard headquarters. If she and Oliver met, it might uncover more secrets—such as just how deeply the Spencer family's collateral branch was involved in this mess.The two prisoners were held in adjacent cells, separated by only a narrow iron bar. When their eyes met for the first time, both faces changed instantly.On the way here, Oliver kept cursing Zoey for betraying him. But when he saw Celeste, he completely forgot about Zoey. He snarled, his teeth clenched. "You wretched woman, look at you now! It's true—bad people get w
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1393
Carissa and Violet set off together to investigate, disguising themselves as ordinary visitors. Upon arriving at Glowmere Sanctuary, they first offered candles and prayers before seeking an audience with the abbot. They made their identities known and inquired about a priest named Reuben.The abbot immediately summoned the priest in charge of guests, Carson Jenkins, as it was Carson's responsibility to handle the arrangements for priests who came to stay at the temple.Glowmere Sanctuary was one of the three largest temples in the capital, with a bustling number of visitors each year wanting to stay and listen to teachings. However, very few were actually allowed to stay.Carson recalled Reuben clearly. Reuben's spiritual skills weren't particularly high; originally, he wasn't eligible to stay at Glowmere Sanctuary. However, a few years ago, he had spent considerable time in the Southern Frontier, helping to guide the souls of the dead. Such compassion was a rare virtue, and it wa
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1392
Zoey composed herself, her features hardening into a mask of calm. "You should leave quickly. Once I've gathered the money, I will come find you. Until then, don't wander around and avoid being seen by the Capital Guard."Sensing the concern in her voice, Oliver was relieved. Women, no matter how sharp they might be with others, always seemed to lack a certain sense when it came to their husbands. After all, which woman didn't long for her husband's love?"You must hurry," he urged, "three days, at most."Zoey feigned hesitation, as though the request weighed heavily on her. "Given our current circumstances, as you well know, how could I possibly gather 3,000 silver coins in just three days?"Oliver's eyes gleamed with resolve. "Isn't Courtney a part of the Hell Monarch's household now? I know you have your ways. I'll wait for your word. But remember—three days! And don't tell anyone about it, not even Mom or Viola."With that, he pulled his hat low over his face and turned to
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1391
The citywide search tightened, and it actually forced Oliver to come out of hiding. But he wasn't searching for Viola—he was searching for Zoey.She had gone to Hell Monarch Estate to deliver a set of clothing for Courtney today. While she was out, she decided to pick up a few things for the ladies of Skye Embroidery. Afterward, she was making her way back to the workshop through the west alley when Oliver appeared.Her first instinct was surprise.Hadn't he told Viola not to tell Zoey about his presence? Why would he risk coming here personally to see her?"My dear, it is I," came a voice from beneath a wide-brimmed hat.His face was obscured, but the voice—there was no mistaking it.For a moment, Zoey was too stunned to speak, but then a surge of fury gripped her. She clenched her teeth, trying to swallow the anger that threatened to consume her. With a swift glance, she confirmed that the alley was deserted.Her heart sank as she regretted her earlier complacency. She had ass
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1390
Zoey questioned Viola in detail, asking how she had come across Oliver, what state he was in now, and whether he had brought his child with him.Viola recounted, "I was out yesterday to buy a stew pot, hoping to make some medicinal broth for Mom. After I purchased it, he came up to me. I was startled at first, thinking it was some pervert."But when he called my name, I recognized his voice. His face was so dark and haggard, and his eyebrows were shaved off. He has lost so much weight. If I hadn't carefully examined him, I wouldn't have believed it was Oliver."Viola paused as she recalled the encounter and Zoey's earlier words, still feeling a sense of unease.She continued, "He didn't have a child with him. He was alone. He told me he was forced to flee, and now there are arrest warrants for him everywhere. He has no money left, and with a child to support, things are really difficult for him. He asked me to talk to Mom about gathering 3,000 silver coins."Zoey quickly asked, "I
